When you first start with GCU, you should have received a New GCU Account email. This email includes your GCU email address and password. Once you find this email, you can follow the steps below.

1. Start by navigating to gcuportal.gcu.edu and clicking the Student Access button.
   

   NOTE If you are an adjunct faculty member, click Faculty Access and then click Sign in.
2. Now it will prompt you for your GCU email address (@my.gcu.edu). After entering your GCU email address, click Next.
   

3. The next screen will ask for your password. Enter the password found in the New GCU Account email and then click Sign in.
   

   NOTE If you are unable to log in after copying and pasting the password from the email, try to type in the password.
4. After logging in, you will be shown a message that says, "Let's keep your account secure", click Next.
   

5. Whenever you are setting up your account you will have to add an authentication method to be your multi-factor authentication (MFA). You will have the option to add either Microsoft Authenticator or Phone as your MFA method. You can choose Microsoft Authenticator, but GCU Technical Support has a limited scope of service for Microsoft Authenticator; therefore, it is recommended that you use the Phone option. Based on the option you decide to add, open the matching accordion below.

   Microsoft Authenticator Option

   NOTE While the Microsoft Authenticator app can be used as an authentication method, GCU Technical Support has a limited scope of service when it comes to supporting it. We cannot assist with troubleshooting your mobile device if the application does not work. For this reason, we recommend that if you decide to add the Microsoft Authenticator option, that you have the Phone option set up as a backup.

   6. On the Install Microsoft Authenticator page, depending on your type of mobile device, click the applicable app store download button to install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device. Then, click Next.
      
   7. Keep the Set up your account page open while you set up the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device.
      
   8. Once the app is downloaded, open it and click Accept to agree to the privacy statement.
      
   9. Click Continue if you prefer not to share your app usage data with Microsoft.
      
   10. Next, you can either click Add work or school account and sign in with your GCU email address and password or Scan a QR code with your mobile device.
       

   11. If you clicked Scan a QR code, return to the Set up your account page and click Next. This will make a QR code appear.
       

       NOTE If you are doing this entire setup process on your mobile device, it will prompt you to Pair your account to the app by clicking this link instead of showing a QR code.
       

   12. After scanning the QR code, click Next.
       

       NOTE If you receive any error messages when the QR code is scanned, check out the relevant accordions in the Errors section of our Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) article.
   13. After adding your account, a notification will be sent to your mobile device from the Microsoft Authenticator app to test your account.
       
   14. You can approve the notification by entering the number shown on the screen into the box on your mobile device and clicking Yes.
       
   15. Once complete, you will see the confirmation that the Microsoft Authenticator method has been added. Click Done to exit this window.
       

   Now the Microsoft Authenticator method will be your primary authentication method when authenticating yourself on sign-in, otherwise known as your multi-factor authentication (MFA) method. If you would like to learn more about managing your authentication methods, what MFA is, and how MFA works, check out our Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) article.

   If you have any trouble setting up the Microsoft Authenticator app, check out Microsoft's support article for more detailed steps on the process.

   Phone Option

   6. On the Install Microsoft Authenticator page, click Other options.
      
   7. Click the Phone option.
      
   8. Now it will require you to input your phone number. Once input, click Next. A verification code will be sent to your phone number.
      
   9. Enter the verification code that was sent, and then click Next.
      
   10. After a successful verification, you will receive a "Phone number added" screen. Click Done to exit this window.
       

   NOTE Even though we have a limited scope of service for the Microsoft Authenticator, we recommend setting up the Microsoft Authenticator method as a backup multi-factor authentication (MFA) method if your Phone method is giving you trouble. If you would like to learn more about managing your authentication methods, what MFA is, and how MFA works, check out our Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) article.
6. You should now be successfully logged in. To reset your password, follow the steps in the appropriate accordion in the Password Reset Process section below.

You can reset your password anytime from the GCU Portal. The following process will go through the password reset process for Student and Adjunct Faculty Members with an @my.gcu.edu email address.

1. Start by navigating to gcuportal.gcu.edu. If you are a student, click Student Access. If you are an Adjunct Faculty, click Faculty Access and then Sign in.
   

   NOTE If you are automatically logged in, you will need to sign out in order to complete this process, check out the How do I reset my password when I'm logged in automatically? accordion below for further assistance with signing out.
2. Now it will prompt you for your GCU email address (@my.gcu.edu). After entering your GCU email address, click Next.
   
3. Click Forgot my password.
   

4. You will be prompted to enter your GCU email address (if it isn’t entered automatically), complete the CAPTCHA below, and then click Next.
   

   NOTE Below are three things to keep in mind when completing the CAPTCHA:

   • We recommend using the visual text option that appears automatically. The CAPTCHA should be read from left to right, starting with the top line. If you have difficulty reading the initial CAPTCHA characters, you can click the refresh option on the right (identified by the green box in the screenshot above). This will provide an alternative set of characters for you to transcribe.
   • If you continue to have difficulties with the visual CAPTCHA after refreshing it, there is an audio option available as well (identified by the blue box in the screenshot above). This option will play a series of words in English and Spanish for you to transcribe. Enter a space between each word that you hear.
   • Captcha is NOT case sensitive.

5. A screen will appear with your available options to use to reset your password.
   

   NOTE You may not have all of the options available to you. To add more options, check out the How do I add an authentication method? accordion below.

6. Based on the option you decided to use to reset your password, open the matching accordion below.

   Email my alternate email

   7. Click the Email button.
      
   8. A verification code will be sent to your alternate email address.
      
   9. Enter the verification code that was sent, and then click Next.
      

   Text my mobile phone

   7. Enter the phone number that you set up as your authentication method. After entering your phone number, click the Text button.
      
   8. You will receive a text message with a verification code.
      
   9. Enter the verification code that you received via text message into the box on the screen and then click Next.
      

   Approve a notification on my authenticator app

   7. Click the Send Notification button.
      
   8. A notification will be sent to your mobile device from the Microsoft Authenticator App to approve your reset password request.
      
   9. You can approve the notification by entering the number shown on the screen into the box on your mobile device and clicking Yes.
      

   Enter a code from my authenticator app

   7. You will be prompted to enter the code displayed in the Microsoft Authenticator app. Navigate to the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device.
      
   8. After navigating to the Microsoft Authenticator app, open your added Grand Canyon University account.
      
   9. The verification code is under One-time password code. Enter this code into the box on the password reset page.
      
   10. After entering the code, click Next.
       
   NOTE We recommend not providing the code that is generated to anyone. If you provided the code to another person, please ensure that you reset your password as soon as possible. If you are unable to reset the password, we recommend generating a new code.
7. You will then be prompted to create a new password. When creating your new password, make sure to follow the password criteria listed in the What is the password criteria? accordion below.
   
8. After creating your new password, click the Finish button to finish the password reset process. You can now use this new password for all websites that are tied to your GCU email address.

Staff and Full-time faculty members can reset their password using the Microsoft password reset process. However, due to our limited scope of service for full-time accounts and for staff accounts, we cannot assist with the password reset. If you need assistance with resetting your password, please contact Staff IT Support.

If you are a preceptor (and not a faculty member), you will utilize the password reset process, but it will be completed on the ThunderTime website instead of through the GCU Portal. Check out our ThunderTime article for more information on the password reset process and the ThunderTime website.

Your new password must meet the following criteria:

• Minimum 8 characters in length (max is 256 characters)
• Must include at least 3 of the following:
  • Uppercase letter
  • Lowercase letter
  • Number (0-9)
  • Symbol (@ # $ % ^ & * - _ ! + = [ ] { } | \ : ‘ , . ? / ` ~ " ( ) ; )

There are some password restrictions as well:

• Cannot be one of your last 5 passwords
• Cannot contain personal identification information, such as your name
• Cannot be easily guessable such as using common passwords, phrases, or consecutive numbers (ex: Password123, ABC12345, etc.)

Your GCU password will expire every 180 days. When your password has reached 180 days of use, you will receive the following prompt upon trying to log into your GCU email address:

“You need to update your password because this is the first time you are signing in, or because your password has expired.”

Enter your current password, and then a new password. Enter the new password a second time to confirm it. If you need any assistance with the password criteria, see the What is the password criteria? accordion above.

In the future, two weeks prior to your password reaching the expiration date, you will be notified via a pop up in the bottom corner of your screen. You can wait until your password expires or reset it ahead of time by clicking the Change it now button.

If you are unable to log in due to not knowing your password, you may be able recover your password from your browser’s autofill. For instructions on how to locate saved passwords, check the Recovering Saved Passwords article. If the password you recover doesn’t work, you will need to reset your password.

If you know that your password is about to expire, you may want to change it without going through the normal password reset process. Instead, you can change your password through Outlook.

1. To change your password through Outlook, start by opening the Email app on the GCU Portal, or by signing into outlook.office.com.
2. Once you are in your inbox, click your initials in the upper right corner and then click View account.
   
3. From the left-side menu, click Change Password.
   

4. You can now create your new password on this page. Once you have filled out the new password, click Submit.
   

   NOTE If you receive the error, "Your password doesn't meet policy requirements. Choose a different password." It means your new password did not meet our password criteria. When creating your new password, make sure to follow the password criteria listed in the What is the password criteria? accordion above.

You may run into an issue where you go to reset your password, and after clicking Student Access you are automatically logged in. If you are automatically logged in, you will need to sign out of the GCU Portal before resetting the password. Click the Sign Out button in the top right corner. After signing out, resume the password reset process where you left off.

Whenever you go through the password reset process, you will be prompted to verify yourself using your authentication methods. Below are the steps to add an authentication method to your account.

1. First, you will need to access your GCU email inbox. You can access your GCU email inbox through the Email app in the GCU Portal, or by signing in directly at outlook.office.com.
2. Once you are in your inbox, click your initials in the upper right corner and then click View account.
   
3. From the left-side menu, click Security Info.
   
4. To add a sign-in method, click Add sign-in method.
   

5. You will now have option to add either Microsoft Authenticator, Phone, or Email as an authentication method.
   

   NOTE You can only set up one phone number, one email address, and you can have up to five different devices connected via the Microsoft Authenticator app.

6. Based on the option you decided to add, open the matching accordion below.

   Microsoft Authenticator Option

   NOTE While the Microsoft Authenticator app can be used as an authentication method, GCU Technical Support has a limited scope of service when it comes to supporting it. We cannot assist with troubleshooting your mobile device if the application does not work. For this reason, we recommend that if you decide to add the Microsoft Authenticator option, that you have the Phone option set up as a backup.

   7. On the Install Microsoft Authenticator page, depending on your type of mobile device, click the applicable app store download button to install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device. Then, click Next.
      
   8. Keep the Set up your account page open while you set up the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device.
      
   9. Once the app is downloaded, open it and click Accept to agree with the privacy statement.
      
   10. Click Continue if you prefer not to share your app usage data with Microsoft.
       
   11. Next, you can either click Add work or school account and sign in with your GCU email address and password or Scan a QR code with your mobile device.
       

   12. If you clicked Scan a QR code, return to the Set up your account page and click Next. This will make a QR code appear.
       

       NOTE If you are doing this entire setup process on your mobile device, it will prompt you to Pair your account to the app by clicking this link instead of showing a QR code.
       

   13. After scanning the QR code, click Next.
       

       NOTE If you receive any error messages when the QR code is scanned, check out the relevant accordions in the Errors section of our Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) article.
   14. After adding your account, a notification will be sent to your mobile device from the Microsoft Authenticator app to test your account.
       
   15. You can approve the notification by entering the number shown on the screen into the box on your mobile device and clicking Yes.
       
   16. Once complete, you will see the confirmation that the Microsoft Authenticator method has been added. Click Done to exit this window.
       

   Whenever the Microsoft Authenticator method is added, it will become your default sign-in method. To change your default sign-in method, check out the Change the Default Method accordion in our Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) article.

   If you have any trouble setting up the Microsoft Authenticator app, check out Microsoft's support article for more detailed steps on the process.

   Phone Option

   7. To start, input your phone number. Once input, click Next. A verification code will be sent to your phone number.
      
   8. Enter the verification code that was sent, and then click Next.
      
   9. After a successful verification, you will receive a "Phone number added" screen. Click Done to exit this window.
      

   Email Option

   7. To start, input your personal email address. Once input, click Next.
      
   8. A verification code will be sent to your personal email address.
      
   9. Enter the verification code that was sent, and then click Next.
      
   10. After a successful verification, you will receive a "Email Added" screen. Click Done to exit this window.
       

If you enter the wrong email address as your email or you enter just your GCU username as your email, you may receive the error message, "The email or username you entered does not exist. Please check that you have typed your email or username correctly." If you receive this error, check to make sure that your email is entered correctly. Your GCU email address should follow this format: username@my.gcu.edu.

If you have no authentication methods set up and you try to go through the password reset process, you may receive the error message, "You can’t reset your own password because password reset isn’t turned on for your account." If you have a new account, make sure to follow the steps listed within the New Account Set Up accordion at the top of this article. If you receive this error and you do not know your current password, please contact GCU Technical Support for further assistance with logging into your GCU email address.

If you unsuccessfully attempt to reset your password five times within a short timeframe, you may receive the error, “You’ve tried to verify your account too many times in the last X hour(s). For security reasons, you’ll have to wait Y hour(s) before you can try again.” If you receive this error, you will have to wait the Y hour(s) the error message states to attempt another password reset through the forgot password feature. If you are still able to log in and you don’t want to wait to reset your password, you can follow the steps listed in the How do I reset my password through Outlook? accordion above. If you are not able to log in and you need immediate access to your account, please contact GCU Technical Support.

If you send yourself multiple verification codes and you do not enter the most recently provided one, you may receive the error message, "The verification code you entered does not match the code we sent." If you receive this error, try to enter the most recently provided verification code. If you are still experiencing issues, attempt to restart the process to send yourself a new code or attempt to use another verification method.

If you enter an incorrect or expired verification code from the Microsoft Authenticator app, you may receive the error message, “The verification code you entered is incorrect. Try again or choose a different verification method.” If you receive this error, try to enter the most recently shown verification code before the code expires. If you are still experiencing issues, we recommend attempting to use another verification method.